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Richard was born in Quincy, Ill. on Sept.19,1932 to Alta and William Wall. He graduated from Loyola Academy and continued on to receive a bachelor's degree in business from Northwestern University. He served in the United States 8th Army as a forward observer during the Korean War.

Richard was married to, the love of his life, Nancy Burge on Dec. 19,1959. They were married 53 years and raised three children, John, Kathy and Bill.

Richard lived a very full life, on his own terms. Working as an insurance agent, he quickly realized that life in the real world was not for him or his young family. They packed up and journeyed west. Aspen became their home and skiing his passion. Richard joined the original Snowmass Ski Patrol in 1967 and moved from Aspen to Snowmass Village in 1974.

A jack-of-all trades, Richard wore many hats over the years in Snowmass - a carpenter, bartender, realtor, firefighter, tavern owner, ski instructor, snow-cat operator, Pitkin County deputy sheriff and town councilman to name a few.

As a dedicated public servant, Richard served as mayor of Snowmass from 1986 to 1992 and was director of Snowmass Water and Sanitation District from 1992 to 2000. He was also infamous for his colorful pyrotechnic displays.

Richard and Nancy retired in 2003 to Cape Coral, Fla., where they lived peacefully by the water.

Richard is survived by spouse Nancy; brothers John and Tom; son John of Denver; daughter Kathy Farrell and husband Tom of Portland, Maine and their four children, Annie, Jane, Billy, Kate; and his longtime sidekick Ray Bob.

Richard was preceded in death by his son Bill and his younger brother Jim Wall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Snowmass Wildcat Fire Protection District, P.O. Box 6436 Snowmass Village, CO 81615.